Levant

The Levant economy faces severe shocks from military escalation and sanctions. The EU lifted Assad-era sanctions on Syrian ministries and restored trade relations, while the US sanctioned nine Lebanese officials and Hezbollah-aligned individuals, and Lebanon warned of severe economic shock.

• 5US hits nine Hezbollah-aligned individuals in Lebanon with sanctions
• 5EU approves restoring trade relations with Syria
• 4US Sanctions 9 Lebanese Officials For Shielding Hezbollah And Blocking Disarmament Efforts
• 2EU lifts Assad-era sanctions on key Syrian ministries
• 2Lebanon warns of severe economic shock

Diplomatic efforts are strained as Israel and Lebanon extend a cease-fire by 45 days amid revived US talks, but Israel signals it will not commit to a full cease-fire. Hezbollah rejects direct talks, while Lebanon's PM seeks 'peace not normalization' with Israel.

• 19Israel-Lebanon cease-fire extended 45 days as US revives talks
• 10Lebanon clings to diplomatic hope as Israel continues destruction
• 7Marco Rubio: Hezbollah threats against Lebanon government will fail
• 6Israeli Source: U.S.-Iran Deal Preserves Israeli Freedom of Action in Lebanon
• 6Hezbollah MP reveals three things needed for lasting ceasefire with Israel

Security is deteriorating sharply as the IDF pushes further into Lebanon, capturing Beaufort Ridge outpost, and Israel strikes Beirut suburbs and warns villages to evacuate. Hezbollah responds with drone attacks and heavy cross-border fire, while Israel pursues a scorched earth plan.

• 76IDF pushes further into Lebanon, capturing Beaufort Ridge outpost
• 44Israel strikes Beirut suburbs again, escalating Lebanon conflict
• 43Netanyahu orders intensified strikes on Lebanon, Hezbollah responds with drone attack
• 37Israel warns 10 Lebanese villages to evacuate ahead of Hezbollah strikes
• 37Israel bombs Beirut for first time in weeks

Society is strained by war and environmental disaster: flooding from the Euphrates River inundates neighborhoods in Raqqa and eastern Syria, while war and drought push Lebanese agriculture to breaking point. A heated debate over Hezbollah's role in Lebanon reflects internal political divisions.

• 2Euphrates River flooding recedes in eastern Syria
• 2Syrian President Apologizes to Deir ez-Zor Residents Over Father's Remarks
• 2War and drought push Lebanon agriculture to breaking point
• 2Jordan Bardella criticizes Mbappé and discusses migration
• 2'Out of sight, out of mind' is the most dangerous response to 'ISIS brides'